Not withstanding the good news, indeed great news, coming out of Asia these past couple days there is also what appears to be simultaneously, ominously, troubling events in the Middle East, and in U. S. Administration trade warnings to allies in South America and Africa that bear watching.

Firstly, the Pentagon revealed yesterday they have 10,000 anti-Syrian government rebel fighters on their payroll, and have requested Congress for an additional 30 million dollars in funding to support them. Moreover an expansion of this force is in the works. These American mercenary-style soldiers are often in direct confrontation with Syrian government forces, as well as Russian, Iranian, and possibly Turkish military elements. This could easily become a red flag, red line issue among the major powers involved in Syria.

Secondly in my post of four days ago I belatedly reported on Secretary of State Rex Tollerson’s first visit to South America in February as a veiled threat to five nations that have replaced the U. S. as their number one trading partner. with who else but, CHINA. That was enough for Wall Street and the Administration to send Tollerson for at least a look and leave. Rex warned those countries and others in South America not to trade with China and to stick with “old friends” because China is not fair nor trustworthy.

Number three, Secretary Tollerson visited Africa this past week for mainly humanitarian reasons yes, but did not fail to alert the natives the Chinese have implemented shoddy harbor expansions and provided corrupt loans to contractors within the continent. As an example of Chinese penetration they have aggressively constructed their first official overseas military base in Djibouti. hmm.

The old Western imperialist should welcome China into their club, France, Britain, the Dutch, and the U. S….but sorry China, in the West don’t do those ugly illegal things to poorer African nations; you are the actual evil one, so keep out of our spheres of influence. This is certainly bias and the epitome of hypocrisy.